Rights groups warn of shrinking democratic space in Bangladesh

Several international and local human rights organisations said on Monday that violence against independent media outlets, cultural institutions and political activists in Bangladesh has intensified, raising concerns about the rule of law ahead of the country's 2026 national elections.

In a joint statement published on the website of Human Rights Watch, the groups said a series of attacks in recent days reflected a shrinking space for free expression and democratic participation during a politically sensitive period.

The most serious incidents occurred on 18 December, when violent mobs attacked and set fire to the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, two of Bangladesh's largest newspapers, the statement said. Journalists and staff were trapped inside the buildings during the attacks, which forced both outlets to suspend print and online publication.

On the same day, Chhayanaut, a prominent cultural and educational institution, was vandalised, according to the statement. Rights groups said the incident was part of a broader pattern of hostility toward artists and folk performers, including bauls, contributing to an increasingly unsafe environment for cultural expression.

The statement also cited the death of political activist Sharif Osman Hadi, a leader of the July 2024 uprising, who died on 18 Dec after being shot in public several days earlier. In a separate incident, Dipu Chandra Das was reportedly beaten to death and burned in Mymensingh following allegations that he had made derogatory remarks about religion.

Human rights organisations said the violence has been fuelled in part by the spread of online hate speech, including explicit calls for violence posted by influential social media personalities and amplified by their followers. The groups criticised both technology companies and the authorities for failing to respond effectively to online incitement.

The statement also accused the current interim government of failing to act decisively against targeted violence, despite constitutional guarantees and Bangladesh's international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The groups, including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and the Committee to Protect Journalists, called on authorities to provide immediate protection for media workers and cultural practitioners, conduct swift and transparent investigations, and hold those responsible accountable. They also urged engagement with technology companies to curb online hate speech and called for public condemnation of all violence ahead of the 2026 elections.